Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
Daniel 12:3

Clarke's Commentary

Verse Daniel 12:3. And they that be wise — Those who are thoroughly instructed in Christ's word and doctrine, shall shine - shall be eminently distinguished in the Christian Church by the holiness of their lives, and the purity of their creed.

And they that turn many to righteousness — They who, by preaching Christ crucified among their brethren, shall be the means of converting them to the Christian faith; shall be as the stars - bright luminaries in the Gospel kingdom of Jesus Christ. This also may be applied to the case of holy and useful men, particularly the faithful ministers of the Gospel, in the day of judgment. See the parallel texts in the margin, and the notes on them. (James 5:20; 1 Corinthians 15:41-42)

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

End of an era (12:1-13)

Having concluded his lengthy revelation concerning the arrogance, ambition and brutality of Antiochus Epiphanes, the interpreting angel gave encouragement to Daniel. He pointed out that the great angel Michael would fight on behalf of the Jews during the period of Antiochus’s persecution. Those who were truly God’s people would be saved through their time of suffering. Though good and bad alike would be killed in the widespread massacre, the righteous had no need to fear. They received the assurance that one day God would raise them to enjoy eternal life, whereas the wicked would be raised to suffer eternal disgrace. A special reward awaited those who could turn others from selfish wrongdoing to the ways of God (12:1-3).
Daniel was not yet to announce publicly the revelation that God had given him. He was to make sure that it was kept safe till the climax of Jewish suffering arrived with the appearance of Antiochus. Through Daniel’s prophecy true believers would then receive enlightenment from God concerning his purposes. The unfaithful, by contrast, would never discover God’s purposes, no matter how hard they tried (4).
Two other angels appeared to Daniel, to assure him that God had set a limit to the period that he would allow his people to suffer under Antiochus (5-7). They informed him also of the outcome of the dreadful persecution. Many Jews would renounce their religion to preserve their lives, but in so doing would lose the only life worth having. Others would stand firm, and as a result their lives would be strengthened and purified (8-10).
History records that the period of Antiochus’s apparent triumph, which began when he stopped the Jewish sacrifices and ended when the Jews rededicated the temple, was about three and a half years. This period is described as ‘a time, two times and half a time’, or 1290 days. Many did not live to see the end of the persecution, having been martyred for their unfailing commitment to God. Those who survived, though they had a longer time of suffering, received a blessing that made their suffering seem worthwhile. After three and a half years of persecution, they had the joy of seeing their temple rededicated and the temple services in full operation again. Their religion had survived the onslaught (11-12).
Daniel went to his ‘rest’ in the grave before these events happened. However, he was assured that he would still have a place in the final triumph of God’s people (13).

The pattern repeated

Although Daniel’s understanding had been helped by the interpreting angel, the visions and revelations that God gave him had more significance than he may have realized. Their symbolic meaning extended beyond the period of conflict that followed the Jews’ return from Babylon. The terrible suffering under Antiochus, though it was the last great persecution of the Jews before the coming of the Messiah, was by no means the end of their troubles.

When the Messiah came, the Jewish people as a whole rejected him and brought upon themselves, at the hands of Rome, greater suffering than they had ever experienced before (cf. 7:23-25). Jesus more than once connected the Jews’ rejection of him with the ‘desolating abomination’ and ‘awful horror’ of the Romans’ destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 21:37-41; Matthew 23:37-38; Matthew 24:15-22,Matthew 24:32-33; Luke 21:20-24; Luke 23:28-31).

Many years after the destruction of Jerusalem, John wrote of the persecution of God’s people, using symbolism that again was taken from the book of Daniel (Revelation 11:1-3; Revelation 12:6-7,Revelation 12:14; Revelation 13:1-12; Revelation 17:8-14). An anti-God spirit had motivated the persecutors of the Jews in Old Testament times, and now the same anti-God spirit was motivating the persecutors of Christians in New Testament times. The anti-God spirit was now specifically anti-Christ. This spirit is always hostile to God and his people (1 John 2:18), and will have its fullest expression in the antichrist who will appear at the end of the age and who will be destroyed by Christ at his coming (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12; Revelation 19:20).

Whatever the era and whoever the antichrist, the message for God’s people is always one of encouragement: ‘he who endures to the end shall be saved’ (Daniel 12:12; Matthew 24:13; 2 Timothy 2:11-12; 2 Timothy 2:11-12; Revelation 12:11; Revelation 13:10; Revelation 20:4). In the end all the powers of this world must give way to the rule of God, whose people inherit his eternal kingdom (Daniel 7:27; Matthew 25:34; Revelation 11:15; Revelation 19:1-8).

APPENDIX

Summary of important events

605

BC

First Jewish exiles taken to Babylon

597

More Jewish exiles taken to Babylon

587

Jerusalem destroyed; final deportation to Babylon

558

Cyrus becomes king of Persia

550

Persia conquers Media

539

Persia conquers Babylon

538

First Jews return to Jerusalem

Work starts on rebuilding the temple (under leadership of Zerubbabel)

516

Temple finished

458

More Jews return to Jerusalem (with Ezra)

445

Nehemiah goes to Jerusalem as governor

333

Alexander the Great overpowers Persia

323

Alexander’s empire splits into various sectors

301-198 Palestine ruled by Egyptian sector

198-143 Palestine ruled by Syrian sector

171

Antiochus Epiphanes becomes king of Syrian sector

168

Antiochus Epiphanes desecrates the Jewish temple

165

Jews under the Maccabees retake the temple

143

Palestine becomes independent again

63

Rome takes over Palestine

6

Birth of Jesus Christ

AD 31

Death and resurrection of Jesus Christ

70

Destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

"And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever."

Here again we have a Messianic promise focused upon the post-resurrection glory of the saints who have been glorified. This is a Scriptural promise to be fulfilled in the Final Judgment, that day mentioned by Paul when all of the saints in Christ shall receive the crown of life that never fades away (2 Timothy 4:8).

Although the apostle Paul did not quote Daniel, he nevertheless applied this conception of the saints being glorious like the stars in this passage:

"For one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead" (1 Corinthians 15:41-42).

It should be observed from these words who are the truly wise. "True religion is wisdom, and sin is folly, and those who live for God and for heaven are truly wise."Albert Barnes, op. cit., p. 261. The utter foolishness of sin and rebellion against God is stressed by the words of the Saviour. Regarding that rich farmer who mistook his stomach for his soul and said, "Soul, thou hast much goods laid up," the Lord said, "Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee" (Luke 12:20). Of those virgins in the parable who took no oil for their lamps, Jesus said, "Five were foolish" (Matthew 25:2). Concerning the man who heard the sayings of Jesus and did them not, our Lord said, "He shall be likened unto a foolish man who built his house upon the sand" (Matthew 7:27). What an incredible folly characterizes every person who does not strive to live in a manner well pleasing to God!

"They that turn many to righteousness" "This is a reference to those who are instrumental in converting men to the worship of the true God and to the ways of holy religion."Albert Barnes, op. cit., 261. This is frequently applied to preachers of God's Word; but there are many others who qualify. This writer still recalls the example of Sgt. Herbert F. Elrod, of the United States Air Force at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, who was baptized in 1932, and who, within the period of a single year, was the chief instrument in the baptism of twenty-three other persons!

Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

And they that be wise - This is the language which, in the Scriptures, is employed to denote the pious, or those who serve God and keep his commandments. See the book of Proverbs, passim. True religion is wisdom, and sin is folly, and they who live for God and for heaven are the truly wise. The meaning is, that they have chosen the path which true wisdom suggests as that in which man should walk, while all the ways of sin are ways of folly. The language used here is expressive of a general truth, applicable in itself to all the righteous at all times, and nothing can be inferred from the term employed as to what was designed by the angel.

Shall shine as the brightness of the firmament - As the sky above us. The image is that of the sky at night, thick set with bright and beautiful stars. No comparison could be more striking. The meaning would seem to be, that each one of the righteous will be like a bright and beautiful star, and that, in their numbers, and order, and harmony, they would resemble the heavenly constellations at night. Nothing can be more sublime than to look on the heavens in a clear night, and to think of the number and the order of the stars above us as an emblem of the righteous in the heavenly world. The word rendered firmament means, properly, expanse, or what is spread out, and it is applied to the sky as it appears to be spread out above us.

And they that turn many to righteousness - Referring to those who would be instrumental in converting men to the worship of the true God, and to the ways of religion. This is very general language, and might be applied to any persons who have been the means of bringing sinners to the knowledge of the truth. It would apply in an eminent degree to ministers of the gospel who were successful in their work, and to missionaries among the pagan. From the mere language, however, nothing certain can be argued as to the original reference as used by the angel, and it seems to have been his intention to employ language so general that it might be applied to all, of all ages and countries, who would be instrumental in turning men to God.

As the stars - As the stars that are distinguished by their size and luster in the firmament. In the former part of the verse, when speaking of those who were “wise,” the design seems to be to compare them to the sky as it appears, set over with innumerable stars, and in their numbers and groupings constituting great beauty; in this member of the sentence the design seems to be to compare these who are eminent in converting men, to the particular beautiful and bright stars that strike us as we look on the heavens - those more distinguished in size and splendor, and that seem to lead on the others. The meaning is, that amidst the hosts of the saved they will be conspicuous, or they will be honored in proportion to their toils, their sacrifices, and their success.

Forever and ever - To all eternity. This refers to those who shall turn many to righteousness; and the meaning is, that they shall continue thus to be distinguished and honored to all eternity.

Calvin's Commentary on the Bible

The word “prudent” means endued with intellect. Some take it transitively, and in this passage their opinion is probably correct, because the office of justifying will soon be assigned to these prudent ones. But the former sense suits chapter 11 better, and in verse 10 it will be put absolutely. Hence it means those who are endued with understanding. The angel here confirms what I have lately expressed concerning the final resurrection, and shews how we shall enjoy its fruits, because eternal glory is laid up for us in heaven. We ought not to complain of being treated unworthily, whenever we seem to suffer harshness at God’s hands, because we ought to be satisfied with the glory of heaven, and with the perpetual existence of that life which has been promised to us. He says then, the teachers, or those who excel in understanding, shall shine forth as the light of heaven If the word “teachers” is thought preferable, there will be a figure of speech, a part being put for the whole, and, therefore, I follow the usual explanation. He applies the phrase, “endued with understanding,” to those who do not depart from the true and pure knowledge of God, as will be afterwards explained more fully. For the angel contrasts the profane who proudly and contemptuously rage against God, and the faithful whose whole wisdom is to submit themselves to God, and to worship him with the purest affection of their minds. We shall say more on this subject to-morrow. But he now says, those who retained sincere piety should be like the light of the firmament; meaning, they shall be heirs of the kingdom of heaven, where they shall enjoy that glory which surpasses all the splendor of the world. No doubt, the angel here uses figures to explain what is incomprehensible, implying, nothing can possibly be found in the world which answers to the glory of the elect people.

And those who shall justify many shall be like stars, says he. He repeats the same thing in other words, and now speaks of stars, having formerly used the phrase, the brightness of the firmament, in the same sense; and instead of “those who are endued with understanding,” he says, those who shall have justified Without doubt, the angel here especially denotes the teachers of the truth, but in my opinion he embraces also all the pious worshippers of God. No one of God’s children ought to confine their attention privately to themselves, but as far as possible, every one ought to interest himself in the welfare of his brethren. God has deposited the teaching of his salvation with us, not for the purpose of our privately keeping it to ourselves, but of our pointing out the way of salvation to all mankind. This, therefore, is the common duty of the children of God, — to promote the salvation of their brethren. By this word “justifying,” the angel means, not that it is in the power of one man to justify another, but the property of God is here transferred to his ministers. Meanwhile, we are as clearly justified by any teaching which brings faith within our reach, as we are justified by the faith which springs from the teaching. Why is our justification ever ascribed to faith? Because our faith directs us to Christ in whom is the complete perfection of justification, and thus our justification may be ascribed equally to the faith taught and the doctrine which teaches it. And those who bring before us this teaching are the ministers of our justification. The assertion of the angel, in other words, is this, — The sons of God, who being devoted entirely to God and ruled by the spirit of prudence, point out the way of life to others, shall not only be saved themselves, but shall possess surpassing glory far beyond anything which exists in this world. This is the complete explanation. Hence, we gather the nature of true prudence to consist in submitting ourselves to God in simple teachableness, and in manifesting the additional quality of carefully promoting the salvation of our brethren. The effect of this our labor ought to increase our courage and alacrity. For how great is the honor conferred upon us by our Heavenly Father, when he wishes us to be the ministers of his righteousness? As James says, We preserve those about to perish if we bring them back into the right way. (James 5:19.) James calls us preservers, just as the angel calls us justifiers; neither the angel nor the apostle wish to detract from the glory of God, but by these forms of speech the Spirit represents us as ministers of justification and salvation, when we unite in the same bonds with ourselves all those who have need of our assistance and exertions. It follows next: —

Smith's Bible Commentary

Chapter 12

Now it is during the time of this great Battle of Armageddon that Jesus will return.

And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which stands for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble [the Great Tribulation], such as never was, since there was a nation even to the same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book ( Daniel 12:1 ).

So there's going to be a time of Great Tribulation, but Daniel's people are to be delivered.

Now their deliverance will come in several ways. Number one, there will be 144,000 of them who are sealed by God and protected from the plagues of the Great Tribulation. Number two, there will be those who will make their flight to the rock city of Petra where God will preserve them. Jesus was warning His disciples, or the Jews actually, that when you see this abomination of desolation that was spoken of by Daniel the prophet standing in the holy place, when you see the antichrist standing in the temple of God declaring that he is God, then flee to the wilderness and don't stop to get your jacket. Just get out of there as fast as you can. If you're out in the field don't even go home. Just run.

In the book of Revelation we are told that God gives to them wings of an eagle (sounds like helicopters) that will bear them to this place in the wilderness where they will be preserved for three and half years. In the book of Isaiah, chapter 16, the Lord says to Jordan, "Open up and receive My people. Bear them safely to Petra until the Great Tribulation is over." And so the antichrist when he finds that the Jews are fleeing will send out an army against them, but the earth will open up and swallow the army. And then, of course, he'll be taken up with the other issues of the invasion of China and Russia, will not pursue them any further, but they will be preserved for three and half years.

So, "Thy people will be delivered, everyone that shall be found written in the book." Now those that do not flee, the antichrist will then go and make war against the remnant of the people that stay in the land and there will be a horrible devastation of those people. Once again, a time of trouble such as never existed since they were a nation up until that time. Jesus said, "The time of Great Tribulation such as the world has never seen before or will ever see again."

Now Daniel here is told of the resurrection.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt ( Daniel 12:2 ).

There is to be a resurrection of the dead. Now, they will not take place simultaneously. The righteous dead will rise a thousand years before the unrighteous dead. But it's all lumped together in one here. In the book of Revelation we see the time differential between the two. The resurrection of the righteous dead, they that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life. Of course, at the resurrection of Jesus Christ there began the great resurrection. The body of many of the... graves of so many of the saints were open and they were seen walking through the streets of Jerusalem after His resurrection from the dead. The great resurrection of the unjust dead will take place at the end of Christ's thousand-year reign, when they stand before the great white throne judgment of God. And they rise to everlasting shame and contempt.

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever ( Daniel 12:3 ).

"They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the sky; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." You know, there are some people whose life is like a skyrocket. They make a big flash, but they burn out very fast. You know, they hit the scene and everybody says, "Oohh, ahhh," you know. But just that fast they fade away. The glory of man is so transient. You know, the crowd may be cheering you today but jeering you tomorrow. The glory of man so transient. The big flash, "ohhhhhhh," but the burn out. But the place to really shine is in God's kingdom.

You know, on the fourth of July I like to go out and see the big pyrotechnic display. And I "oohh" and "ahhh" at the beautiful skyrockets. But you know, when it's all over for a while you lose sight of the stars. You know, there's so much flash in the atmosphere around you, you don't see the stars up there. But when it's all over, there they are shining forever and ever. Maybe not with such a big flash, but they keep going. Some people make a big flash, but that's the end of it. "They that be wise will shine as this as the brightness of the ferment. And they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever." Which sky do you want to shine in?

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end ( Daniel 12:4 ):

The book was to be sealed when unto the time of the end. In other words, "Daniel, you're not gonna understand this; it will be understood in the time of the end."

for many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased ( Daniel 12:4 ).

"The knowledge increased" in its immediately context would be the knowledge of the book of Daniel, or the knowledge of these prophecies. And surely God has unfolded the book of Daniel in these last days as we can now see it with the advantage of hindsight. And we can see how accurately he wrote of the past, and now as we see the things of the past we can also understand as they relate to the present and future. So the book of Daniel is no longer a sealed a book, but an open book and easily understood by any diligent student of God's Word.

For knowledge has been increased. Now that knowledge increased has also been interpreted to be just the general amassed knowledge of man and surely, this has happened in our generation. Between the years of 1950 and 1960 man's total knowledge doubled. In other words, everything that man had learned from Adam up until the year 1950 accumulated knowledge of man in the next decade was doubled. By the year 1970 men knew, or 1960, men knew twice as much as what they have learned in all of the years up to 1950. And, of course, now with the ability through micro data processing and computers and all, we are again in this decade doubling the amassed knowledge of man. Knowledge increased.

And interesting, "men going to and fro." Tomorrow morning I get on a jet and tomorrow I eat lunch in Spokane, you know, and it's amazing what you can do now in jet travel. Many running to and fro.

Then I Daniel looked, and I beheld, and there stood two others, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on the other side of the bank of the river. And one said to the man that was clothed in linen ( Daniel 12:5-6 ),

You see, with this one in linen there were other personages. That's why I believe the one in linen was Jesus Christ and there were angels with Him.

which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be till the end of these wonders? ( Daniel 12:6 )

How long before the end of these things, the Tribulation and all?

And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and he sware by him that lives for ever and ever, that it shall be for a time [a year], times, [a half a year, or I mean, two years], and a half, [which would be a half a year]; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all of these things shall be finished. And I heard, but I did not understand: then I said, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? And he said, Go your way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end ( Daniel 12:7-9 ).

So don't worry about it, Daniel. You just go your way. These words are sealed until the time of the end, until now when the Lord has opened up understanding.

Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried: but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand ( Daniel 12:10 ).

Now even as Daniel predicted the very day that the Messiah would come, 173, 880 days from the commandment to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, so he has predicted the very day that Jesus will come again. Not the day that the Lord will take His church. No man knows that day or the hour. We don't know when the Lord is gonna come for us, His church.

But from the time that the daily sacrifices [and prayers] are caused to cease [by the antichrist] ( Daniel 12:11 ),

In the middle of the last seven year cycle.

it will then be 1,290 days ( Daniel 12:11 ).

According to the testimony of the Lord. If you were still here upon the earth you can mark your calendar and you can count off the days. And you'll be wanting to because it's gonna to be a fierce, horrible time. As God's wrath is poured out in judgment upon this earth. At this point maybe you should this week read Revelation 6:0 through 18 to find out just what's gonna be happening during this three and half year period of time. Terrible.

Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the thousand three hundred and thirty-fifth day ( Daniel 12:12 ).

Or forty-five days after the coming of Christ. Matthew 25:31 ,when Jesus returns, He's gonna gather together the nations for judgment and separate them as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And to those in His right hand, "Come ye blessed of the Father. Enter into the kingdom that was prepared for you from the foundations of the earth." To those on His left, "Depart from Me, workers of iniquity, into the everlasting darkness which was prepared for Satan and his angels."

So if a person, and there will be many who will live through the Great Tribulation, they will be able to survive. Now if they survive the Great Tribulation, providing they have not worshipped the antichrist, nor taken his mark upon them, nor worship the image, for if any man worships the antichrist or takes the mark of the antichrist on him, or worships the image, he will not have any chance for salvation at all. In Revelation, chapter 14, John saw the angel flying through the midst of the heaven, declaring "Woe! Woe! Woe!" to the inhabitants of the earth. And if any man shall take the mark or worship the beast or his image, he shall be cast into the lake burning with fire and there's no hope for his salvation. The angels will be warning people not to take that mark. Of course, on the other hand, if you refused to take the mark they can put you to death for it, not taking the mark.

So you're gonna have to... you're gonna have to join with McKeever and some of these guys and get your little hideaway back up in the woods of Oregon and stock it with your food and your wheat and your guns and everything else in order you'll be able to survive this three and half year period of time, and then hopefully make it through the forty-five days of judgment. Because having come through the Great Tribulation will not necessarily ensure your entrance into the kingdom.

Then you have to pass this judgment when Christ says, "I was hungry and you fed Me; thirsty and you gave Me to drink; and naked and you clothed Me." "Lord, when did we see You this way?" Not when you were, you know, shooting those that were trying to come and get your food. So you better put your guns away, I guess, if you're gonna survive the forty-five days. "Inasmuch as you did it unto the least of these, My brethren, you've done it unto Me." And they are allowed to enter into the kingdom. So there will be some who will live through the Great Tribulation and will enter into the kingdom. Most of those that enter into the kingdom, though, will be those who belong to the Lord and who return with Jesus. Then He'll be coming with ten thousands of His saints to execute judgment upon the earth and we shall live and reign with Him upon the earth for a thousand years.

But to Daniel,

Go thy way till the end is: for thou shall rest, and stand in thy lot in the end of the days ( Daniel 12:13 ).

You'll stand with your group in the end of the days, Daniel. But in the meantime, just go and take your rest. And you'll stand in the end time.

So the fascinating prophecies of Daniel, marvelous man of God, high on my list of those I want to meet when I get to heaven. I so respect this man of God, so admire him, that I'm looking forward to quite a bit of time just sitting and learning from the depth of this man of his walk and love and relationship. That's one that is gonna be one of the neat things of heaven, is just getting acquainted and knowing some of these glorious people of God from history.

Next week we get into the book of Hosea. We'll take five chapters of Hosea for next Sunday. Moving through, it won't be long before we're through, be through with the Old Testament now, for the rest of the books are very short little books. Many of them we will be taking in just one week and then moving on into the New Testament. So as the Lord tarries and as the Lord wills, it won't be long before we'll be back in the New Testament and going through it.

Peter asked a very pertinent question in the light of the fact that the material world is going to soon be dissolved, the works are to be burned up, the elements will melt with the ferment heat, "What manner of persons ought we to be?" ( 2 Peter 3:11 ) If you are a materialist and your whole values are set in material things, when this material universe goes, everything that you have and hope for is gone. Therefore, it is not wise to be a materialist or a humanist. What manner of persons ought we to be? Peter answers, "In all holiness, godliness, godly manner of living." We ought to be spiritual; we need to have our things upon, our eyes upon the things above, not upon the things of the earth. We need to have our hearts set upon the eternal not on the temporal. May God help us to each one to make an evaluation of ourselves, our own priorities, our own lives, to find out where our values are. Find out what we truly treasure. For where a man's treasure is there will his heart be also. So God help us to treasure heavenly things, spiritual things, and mark them as the true values of life. And thus, may God cause us to examine our hearts, examine ourselves, our lives, our lifestyles, and may we so live in anticipation of our Lord's return in glory to establish God's kingdom.

God bless you. May He keep His hand upon your life, may He fill you with His love and with His spirit, and may He guide you according to His purpose through Jesus Christ our Lord. "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

The deliverance of Israel 12:1-3

Whereas the previous verses have focused on the Antichrist, those in this pericope concern Israel. Here we learn that this "end time" will definitely be a time of intense persecution of Jews. This section constitutes the climax of this revelation (chs. 10-12), as well as the climax of the whole series of prophecies that this book records. It highlights God’s faithfulness to His promises to His chosen people Israel.

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

The emphasis on hope for the Jews living during this time continues in this verse. Rewards will follow resurrection. Those Jews who have insight into the importance of remaining faithful to God, and who do so, will receive glory (cf. Daniel 11:33; Daniel 11:35). Those who lead others to do right will too. Their glory will be similar to the glory of the sky above, and to the stars (cf. Matthew 13:43). The angel expressed this blessing in a beautiful parallelism. Their glory will involve the privilege of reigning with Jesus Christ during His millennial kingdom, and from then on-forever (cf. Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27; Revelation 20:4).

"Verses 2-3, then, clearly affirm the doctrines of resurrection and of eternity beyond the grave. Even the most skeptical OT scholars concede the presence of these doctrines here . . ." [Note: Archer, "Daniel," p. 153.]

Other Old Testament verses that teach these doctrines include Job 19:26; Psalms 16:11; Psalms 17:15; Psalms 73:23-24; and Isaiah 25:8; Isaiah 26:19.

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament,.... That are wise, not in things natural and civil, but in things spiritual; who are wise unto salvation; that are wise to know themselves, their state and condition by nature; their impurity and impotence; the insufficiency of their own righteousness; the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the dangerous circumstances they are in; that are wise to know Christ, and him crucified; to believe in him, and trust in him for everlasting life and salvation: these at the resurrection shall shine, both in body and soul; their bodies shall be fashioned like to the glorious body of Christ; their souls shall be filled with perfect light and knowledge, and be completely holy, without any sin upon them; and this light and glory that will be upon both soul and body will be like the brightness of the heavens when the sun is risen; yea, it will be like the brightness and glory of the sun itself, as our Lord affirms; having, as it seems, respect to this passage, Matthew 13:43. Some render it, "they that instruct" i; or make others wise, and so restrain it to ministers of the word; but the more general sense is best; and, besides, they are more particularly described in the next clause:

and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever; or, "that justify many" k; that teach the doctrine of a sinner's free justification by the righteousness of Christ; that lead and direct souls sensible of sin, and of the weakness of their own righteousness, to the righteousness of Christ, as being that only which justifies before God; otherwise it is God alone that justifies men, by imputing the righteousness of his Son unto them: but these show men the way of justification, or that which God takes to justify sinners; and this being the principal doctrine of the GospeL, they are denominated from it; and no man deserves the name of a Gospel minister that does not preach it, though this is not all that they preach; they preach all other doctrines of the Gospel in connection with it, and also instruct men thus justified to live soberly, righteously, and godly: now, as these are stars in the church of Christ below, who receive their light from Christ the sun of righteousness, and communicate it to his people; so they will continue stars in the Millennium state, and appear exceeding glorious, having the glory of God and Christ upon them, and not only then, but to all eternity. These words are applied to the days of the Messiah by the Jews l.

i משכילים "erudiunt", Munster; "erudientes", Junius Tremellius "qui alios instituerint", Grotius. k מצדיקי "justificantes", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius Tremellius "qui justificaverint", Calvin, Piscator. l Shemot Rabba sect. 15. fol. 102. 4.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.   2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.   3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.   4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

      It is usual with the prophets, when they foretel the grievances of the church, to furnish it at the same time with proper antidotes, a remedy for every malady. And no relief is so sovereign, of such general application, so easily accommodated to every case, and of such powerful efficacy, as those that are fetched from Christ and the future state; thence the comforts here are fetched.

      I. Jesus Christ shall appear his church's patron and protector: At that time, when the persecution is at the hottest, Michael shall stand up,Daniel 12:1; Daniel 12:1. The angel had told Daniel what a firm friend Michael was to the church, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 10:21. He all along showed this friendship in the upper world; the angels knew it; but now Michael shall stand up in his providence, and work deliverance for the Jews, when he sees that their power is gone,Deuteronomy 32:3. 6. Christ is that great prince, for he is the prince of the kings of the earth,Revelation 1:5. And, if he stand up for his church, who can be against it? But this is not all: At that time (that is, soon after) Michael shall stand up for the working out of our eternal salvation; the Son of God shall be incarnate, shall be manifested to destroy the works of the devil. Christ stood for the children of our people when he was made sin and a curse for them, stood in their stead as a sacrifice, bore the cure for them, to bear it from them. He stands for them in the intercession he ever lives to make within the veil, stands up for them, and stands their friend. And after the destruction of antichrist, of whom Antiochus was a type, Christ shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, shall appear for the complete redemption of all his.

      II. When Christ appears he will recompense tribulation to those that trouble his people. There shall be a time of trouble, threatening to all, but ruining to all the implacable enemies of God's kingdom among men, such trouble as never was since there was a nation. This is applicable. 1. To the destruction of Jerusalem, which Christ calls (perhaps with an eye to this prediction) such a great tribulation as was not since the beginning of the world to this time,Matthew 24:21. This the angel had spoken much of (Daniel 9:26; Daniel 9:27); and it happened about the same time that Christ set up the gospel-kingdom in the world, that Michael our prince stands up. Or, 2. To the judgment of the great day, that day that shall burn as an oven, and consume the proud and all that do wickedly; that will be such a day of trouble as never was to all those whom Michael our prince stands against.

      III. He will work salvation for his people: "At that time thy people shall be delivered, delivered from the mischief and ruin designed them by Antiochus, even all those that were marked for preservation, that were written among the living," Isaiah 4:3. When Christ comes into the world he will save his spiritual Israel from sin and hell, and will, at his second coming, complete their salvation, even the salvation of as many as were given him, as many as have their names in the book of life,Revelation 20:15. They were written there before the world, and will be found written there at the end of the world, when the books shall be opened.

      IV. There shall be a distinguishing resurrection of those that sleep in the dust,Daniel 12:2; Daniel 12:2. 1. When God works deliverance for his people from persecution it is a kind of resurrection; so the Jews' release out of Babylon was represented in vision (Ezekiel 37:1-28) and so the deliverance of the Jews from Antiochus, and other restorations of the church to outward prosperity; they were as life from the dead. Many of those who had long slept in the dust of obscurity and calamity shall then awake, some to that life, and honour, and comfort which will be lasting, everlasting; but to others, who, when they return to their prosperity, will return to their iniquity, it will be a resurrection to shame and contempt, for the prosperity of fools will but expose them and destroy them. 2. When, upon the appearing of Michael our prince, his gospel is preached, many of those who sleep in the dust, both Jews and Gentiles, shall be awakened by it to take upon them a profession of religion, and shall rise out of their heathenism or Judaism; but, since there will be always a mixture of hypocrites with true saints, it is but some of those who are raised to life to whom the gospel is a savour of life unto life, but others will be raised by it to shame and contempt, to whom the gospel of Christ will be a savour of death unto death, and Christ himself set for their fall. The net of the gospel encloses both good and bad. But, 3. It must be meant of the general resurrection at the last day: The multitude of those that sleep in the dust shall awake, that is, all, which shall be a great many. Or, Of those that sleep in the dust many shall arise to life and many to shame. The Jews themselves understand this of the resurrection of the dead at the end of time; and Christ seems to have an eye to it when he speaks of the resurrection of life and the resurrection of damnation (John 5:29); and upon this the Jews are said by St. Paul to expect a resurrection of the dead both of the just and of the unjust,Acts 24:15. And nothing could come in more seasonably here, for, under Antiochus's persecution, some basely betrayed their religion, others bravely adhered to it. Now it would be a trouble to them that, when the storm was over, they could neither reward the one nor punish the other; this therefore would be a satisfaction to them, that they would both be recompensed according to their works in the resurrection. And the apostle, speaking of the pious Jews that suffered martyrdom under Antiochus, tells us that though they were tortured yet they accepted not deliverance, because they hoped to obtain this better resurrection,Hebrews 11:35.

      V. There shall be a glorious reward conferred on those who, in the day of trouble and distress, being themselves wise, did instruct many. Such were taken particular notice of in the prophecy of the persecution (Daniel 11:33; Daniel 11:33), that they should do eminent service, and yet should fall by the sword and by flame; now, if there were not another life after this, they would be of all men most miserable, and therefore we are here assured that they shall be recompensed in the resurrection of the just (Daniel 12:3; Daniel 12:3): Those that are wise (that are teachers, so some read it, for teachers have need of wisdom, and those that have wisdom themselves should communicate it to others) shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, shall shine in glory, heavenly glory, the glory of the upper world; and those that by the wisdom they have, and the instructions they give, are instrumental to turn any, especially to turn many to righteousness, shall shine as the stars for ever and ever. Note, 1. There is a glory reserved for all the saints in the future state, for all that are wise, wise for their souls and eternity. A man's wisdom now makes his face to shine (Ecclesiastes 8:1), but much more will it do so in that state where its power shall be perfected and its services rewarded. 2. The more good any do in this world, especially to the souls of men, the greater will be their glory and reward in the other world. Those that turn men to righteousness, that turn sinners from the errors of their ways and help to save their souls from death (James 5:20), will share in the glory of those they have helped to heaven, which will be a great addition to their own glory. 3. Ministers of Christ, who have obtained mercy of him to be faithful and successful, and so are made burning and shining lights in this world, shall shine very brightly in the other world, shall shine as the stars. Christ is the sun, the fountain, of the lights both of grace and glory; ministers, as stars, shine in both, with a light derived from him, and a diminutive light in comparison of him; yet to those that are earthen vessels it will be a glory infinitely transcending their deserts. They shall shine as the stars of different magnitudes, some in less, others in greater lustre; but, whereas the day is coming when the stars shall fall from heaven as leaves in autumn, these stars shall shine for ever and ever, shall never set, never be eclipsed.

      VI. That this prophecy of those times, though sealed up now, would be of great use to those that should live then, Daniel 12:4; Daniel 12:4. Daniel must now shut up the words and seal the book because the time would be long ere these things would be accomplished: and it was some comfort that the Jewish nation, though, in the infancy of their return from Babylon, while they were few and weak, they met with obstructions in their work, were not persecuted for their religion till a long time after, when they had grown to some strength and maturity. He must seal the book because it would not be understood, and therefore would not be regarded, till the things contained in it were accomplished; but he must keep it safely, as a treasure of great value, laid up for the ages to come, to whom it would be of great service; for many shall then run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Then this hidden treasure shall be opened, and many shall search into it, and dig for the knowledge of it, as for silver. They shall run to and fro, to enquire out copies of it, shall collate them, and see that they be true and authentic. They shall read it over and over, shall meditate upon it, and run it over in their minds; discurrent--they shall discourse of it, and talk it over among themselves, and compare notes about it, if by any means they may sift out the meaning of it; and thus knowledge shall be increased. By consulting this prophecy on this occasion they shall be led to search other scriptures, which shall contribute much to their advancement in useful knowledge; for then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord,Hosea 6:3. Those that would have their knowledge increased must take pains, must not sit still in slothfulness and bare wishes but run to and fro, must make use of all the means of knowledge and improve all opportunities of getting their mistakes rectified, their doubts resolved, and their acquaintance with the things of God improved, to know more and to know better what they do know. And let us here see reason to hope that, 1. Those things of God which are now dark and obscure will hereafter be made clear, and easy to be understood. Truth is the daughter of time. Scripture prophecies will be expounded by the accomplishment of them; therefore they are given, and for that explication they are reserved. Therefore they are told us before, that, when they do come to pass, we may believe. 2. Those things of God which are despised and neglected, and thrown by as useless, shall be brought into reputation, shall be found to be of great service, and be brought into request; for divine revelation, however slighted for a time, shall be magnified and made honourable, and, above all, in the judgment of the great day, when the books shall be opened, and that book among the rest.